U.S. patent application number 13/010931 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-22 for threaded closure assembly.
Invention is credited to Richard Lawrence Horstman, Bradley Scott Neufarth, Alfredo Pagan, Kerry Lloyd Weaver.
Application Number | 20110226721 13/010931 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42097503 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110226721 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Horstman; Richard Lawrence ;
et al. |
September 22, 2011 |
THREADED CLOSURE ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A threaded closure assembly comprising a transition and a cap is
disclosed. The threaded closure assembly may be utilized to seal a
liquid containing bottle, particularly one containing a liquid
fabric composition.
Inventors: |
Horstman; Richard Lawrence;
(Cincinnati, OH) ; Neufarth; Bradley Scott;
(Loveland, OH) ; Weaver; Kerry Lloyd; (Florence,
KY) ; Pagan; Alfredo; (Mason, OH) |
Family ID: |
42097503 |
Appl. No.: |
13/010931 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/230 ;
215/329; 53/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/122 20130101;
B65D 47/40 20130101; B65D 41/265 20130101; B65D 41/56 20130101;
B65D 47/123 20130101; B65D 41/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/230 ;
215/329; 53/490 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/00 20060101
B65D051/00; B65D 41/04 20060101 B65D041/04; B67B 3/20 20060101
B67B003/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 1, 2010 |
CA |
2689924 |
Claims
1. A threaded closure assembly comprising a transition and a
cylindrical cap: said transition comprising: a transition wall
described by an inner transition wall surface and an outer
transition wall surface; a transition collar attached to said
transition wall, wherein said transition collar comprises a
transition collar rim; said cap being described by a longitudinal
center axis, said cap comprising: a. a closed cap top distally
attached to a substantially circular cap opening via a cap wall
having an inner cap wall surface and an outer cap wall surface,
said outer cap wall surface having a circumference C.sub.o; b. a
substantially circular cap membrane disposed on said outer cap wall
surface; and c. at least two external thread structures wherein
each thread structure is either disposed on said inner or said
outer cap wall surface along said longitudinal center axis between
said circular cap membrane and said opening, wherein each of said
at least two external threads comprises: i. a discrete thread start
disposed along said inner or said outer cap wall surface proximate
to said cap opening; ii. a thread lead angle of from about 4 to
about 45 degrees; and iii. a length less than one half of C.sub.o;
wherein said transition comprises at least two internal thread
structures disposed on said inner or said outer transition wall
surface that are mutually engageable with said external thread
structures to form a seal between said circular cap membrane and
said transition collar rim.
2. The threaded closure assembly of claim 1, said cap having an
Overflow Volume of less than about 85 ml.
3. The threaded closure assembly of claim 1, such that when said
external thread structures and said internal thread structures are
mutually engaged there is a seal between said transition collar rim
and said substantially circular cap membrane and there is a
distance along said longitudinal center axis of less than 40 mm
between said transition collar rim and said closed cap top.
4. The threaded closure assembly of claim 3, wherein there is a
distance along said longitudinal center axis between said
transition collar rim and said closed cap top that is greater than
about three or more times the distance between said substantially
circular cap membrane and said substantially circular cap
opening.
5. The threaded closure assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one
of said external thread structures is continuous.
6. The threaded closure assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one
of said external thread structures is discontinuous.
7. The threaded closure assembly of claim 1, said cap comprising at
least one dosing line.
8. The threaded closure assembly of claim 1, said transition
comprising a spout functionally attached to said transition collar
via said transition wall.
9. The threaded closure assembly of claim 8, wherein a drip
concentrator is concentrically interposed between said spout and
said transition wall.
10. The threaded closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least
two external threads each comprises a thread lead angle from about
4.5 to about 15 degrees.
11. A bottle comprising a bottle body with a closed end and an open
end, the open end terminating in a substantially circular bottle
mouth, said bottle being capable of containing a fluid composition
and said bottle mouth being functionally attached to said threaded
closure assembly of claim 1 via said transition.
12. The bottle of claim 11, said bottle containing a fluid fabric
care composition.
13. The bottle of claim 12, wherein said fluid fabric care
composition is selected from the group of liquid detergent; liquid
fabric enhancer; and mixtures thereof.
14. The bottle of claim 11, further comprising a shrink sleeve
fitted over the bottle body.
15. A threaded closure assembly comprising a transition and a
cylindrical cap: said transition comprising: a transition wall
described by an inner transition wall surface and an outer
transition wall surface; a transition collar is attached to said
transition wall, wherein said transition collar comprises a
transition collar rim; a spout functionally attached to said
transition collar via said transition wall; and said cap having an
Overflow Volume of less than about 85 ml and being described by a
longitudinal center axis, said cap comprising: a. a closed cap top
distally attached to a substantially circular cap opening via a cap
wall having an inner cap wall surface and an outer cap wall
surface, said outer cap wall surface having a circumference
C.sub.o; b. a substantially circular cap membrane disposed on said
outer cap wall surface; c. at least three discontinuous external
thread structures disposed on said outer cap wall surface along
said longitudinal center axis between said circular cap membrane
and said opening, wherein each of said at least two discontinuous
external threads comprises: i. a discrete thread start disposed
along said outer cap wall surface proximate to said cap opening;
ii. a thread lead angle of from about 4.5 to about 15 degrees; and
a length less than one half of C.sub.o; and d. and at least one
fill line; wherein said transition comprises at least two internal
thread structures disposed on said inner transition wall surface
that are mutually engageable with said external thread structures
to form a seal between said circular cap membrane and said
transition collar rim.
16. The threaded closure assembly of claim 15, such that when said
external thread structures and said internal thread structures are
mutually engaged such that there is a seal between said transition
collar rim and said substantially circular cap membrane, there is a
distance along said longitudinal center axis of less than 35 mm
between said transition collar rim and said closed cap top.
17. The threaded closure assembly of claim 16, wherein there is a
distance along said longitudinal center axis between said
transition collar rim and said closed cap top that is greater than
about three or more times the distance between said substantially
circular cap membrane and said substantially circular cap
opening.
18. A bottle comprising a bottle body with a closed end and an open
end, the open end terminating in a substantially circular bottle
mouth, said bottle being capable of containing a fluid composition
and said bottle mouth being functionally attached to said threaded
closure assembly of claim 15 via said transition.
19. A method of sealing a bottle containing a liquid with a
threaded closure assembly comprising a transition and a cylindrical
cap, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a bottle
comprising a bottle body with a closed end and an open end, said
open end terminating in a substantially circular bottle mouth; b.
functionally connecting said transition to said bottle mouth, said
transition comprising: i. a transition wall described by an inner
transition wall surface and an outer transition wall surface; ii. a
transition collar is attached to said wall, wherein said transition
collar comprises a transition collar rim; and iii. at least two
internal thread structures disposed on said inner or outer
transition wall surface; c. providing a cap being described by a
longitudinal center axis, said cap comprising: i. a closed cap top
distally attached to a substantially circular cap opening via a cap
wall having an inner cap wall surface and an outer cap wall
surface, said outer cap wall surface having a circumference
C.sub.o; ii. a substantially circular cap membrane disposed on said
outer cap wall surface; and iii. at least two external thread
structures wherein each thread structure is either disposed on said
inner or said outer cap wall surface along said longitudinal center
axis between said circular cap membrane and said cap opening,
wherein each of said at least two external threads comprises: 1. a
discrete thread start disposed along said inner or said outer cap
wall surface proximate to said cap opening; 2. a thread lead angle
of from about 4 to about 45 degrees; and 3. a length less than one
half of C.sub.o; d. inserting said substantially circular cap
opening into said transition; and e. rotationally engaging said
external and internal thread structures by turning said cap about
180.degree. or less to form a seal between said circular cap
membrane and said transition collar rim.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein: three thread structures are
disposed on said inner transition wall surface; three external
thread structures are disposed on said outer cap wall surface along
said longitudinal center axis between said circular cap membrane
and said cap opening; and said cap is turned about 120.degree. or
less to form a seal.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to caps and to the threaded
closure assemblies of which they may form a part.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Threaded caps and transitions are used in various industries
as bottle closures. The cap characteristics may impact the amount
of force and/or the number of cap revolutions required to seal or
open a closed bottle with the cap. Such characteristics include,
but are not limited to the number of thread leads and the thread
lead angle.
[0003] The importance of thread characteristics in the field of
mass produced bottles is evident throughout the useful life of the
bottle. For example, when bottles are initially made on high speed
manufacturing lines, it is important for the caps to be rapidly
registered and mutually engaged with the transition threads to
close the bottle. Additionally, enough torque must be applied to
the cap in order to form a seal between the cap and the transition,
otherwise, the cap can back off, allowing for the bottle contents
to leak out during storage and/or transport. Yet when the bottle
reaches the consumer, he or she must be able to readily open the
bottle, and in some instances, to reseal it for future use. These
characteristics are of especial import in the area of liquid
laundry detergents given the frustrations that can be associated
with being unable to dispense the liquid from the bottle, and/or
the liquid leaking from the bottle to cause a mess.
[0004] Some commercially available caps, such as the cap 10 shown
in FIG. 1, comprise one discontinuous thread 11, which necessarily
has one lead 12. To close a bottle with this cap, it may be
necessary to rotate the cap as many as about 1.5 times. This can be
undesirable for at least two reasons. First, rotating a cap
multiple times to close a bottle may not be efficient as it can
waste precious time on a high speed manufacturing line where every
second counts. Second, it may make it difficult for individuals
with arthritis and other afflictions to effect the twisting motion
that is necessary to rotate the cap multiple times to obtain a
tight closure.
[0005] Some commercially available caps, such as the cap 20 shown
on the bottle 200 pictured in FIG. 2, are "top heavy", meaning that
when the bottle is closed, the cap sticks out high above the bottle
opening. Aside from being aesthetically unappealing, this can be
undesirable from a practical standpoint, because it can require
more shipping and shelf space than a similar sized bottle having a
shorter cap. One approach to overcoming these disadvantages would
be to hold the volume of the cap constant, while expanding the
diameter of the cap. This would result in a shorter, more squat
cap. Yet when the same amount of liquid is placed in a shorter,
squat cap, it may appear that less liquid is present than in a
taller cap having the same volume, but a smaller diameter. This can
be disadvantageous in the areas of compacted detergents since it
may lead the consumer to assume that the dosage of a product is too
skimpy.
[0006] Some commercially available caps, such as the cap 10 shown
in FIG. 1 or the cap 30 shown in FIG. 3, respectively comprise
threads (11 and 31) adjacent to the cap membrane (17 and 37) that
seals the cap against the bottle transition (not pictured).
Moreover, there may be a short distance between the opening of the
cap 14 and 34 and the respective membrane 17 and 37. These two
characteristics, particularly when combined, can make it difficult
to mechanically or manually register the cap within the transition
to engage the cap threads with the transition threads. This can be
problematic on high speed manufacturing lines as well as for those
with impaired manual dexterity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to threaded closure
assemblies that solve the aforementioned problems. The invention is
also directed to the caps themselves.
[0008] The threaded closure assembly may be utilized as a bottle
closure, particularly of a bottle containing a liquid composition.
The threaded closure assembly comprises a cap and a transition. The
cap is designed to be easily applied on a high speed manufacturing
line with enough force to prevent leakage from the bottle, yet the
cap is also easily opened and resealed by the consumer. This is
surprisingly achieved through the particular combination of two or
more of the following: multiple thread leads; high thread lead
angles; a proportionally longer distance between the cap opening
and cap membrane; and placing the threads near to the cap opening
rather than to the cap membrane.
[0009] In one embodiment, a threaded closure assembly comprises a
transition and a cylindrical cap. The transition in turn comprises
a transition wall that is described by an inner and outer
transition wall surface. A transition collar is attached to the
transition wall. The transition collar itself comprises a
transition collar rim.
[0010] The cap which is described by a longitudinal center axis
comprises a closed cap top distally attached to a substantially
circular cap opening via a cap wall. The cap wall is described by
an inner cap wall surface and an outer cap wall surface. The outer
cap wall surface has a circumference "C.sub.o". A substantially
circular cap membrane is disposed on the outer cap wall surface. At
least two external thread structures are also disposed on either
the inner or the outer cap wall surface along the longitudinal
center axis of the cap between the substantially circular cap
membrane and the substantially circular cap opening. Each of the
external threads has a discrete thread start disposed along the
outer cap wall surface proximate to the substantially circular cap
opening. Each of the external threads has a thread lead angle of
from about 4 to about 45 degrees and a length less than one half of
C.sub.o.
[0011] The transition additionally comprises at least two internal
thread structures disposed on either the inner or the outer
transition wall surface. The internal threads are placed on the
transition such that they are mutually engageable with the external
thread structures on the cap. When the external and internal thread
structures are engaged, there is a seal between the circular cap
membrane and the transition collar rim. This seal may be air tight
and/or liquid tight.
[0012] Another embodiment relates to a method of sealing a bottle
containing a liquid with a threaded closure assembly comprising a
transition and a cylindrical cap. The method comprises the
following steps in any useful order:
(a) providing a bottle comprising a bottle body with a closed end
and an open end which terminates in a substantially circular bottle
mouth; (b) functionally connecting the transition to the bottle
mouth, wherein the transition comprises: [0013] i. a transition
wall described by an inner transition wall surface and an outer
transition wall surface; [0014] ii. a transition collar attached to
the transition wall, wherein the transition collar comprises a
transition collar rim; and [0015] iii. at least two internal thread
structures disposed on either the inner or the outer transition
wall surface; (c) providing a cap being described by a longitudinal
center axis, the cap comprising: [0016] i. a closed cap top
distally attached to a substantially circular cap opening via a cap
wall having an inner cap wall surface and an outer cap wall
surface, the outer cap wall surface having a circumference C.sub.o;
[0017] ii. a substantially circular cap membrane disposed on the
outer cap wall surface; and [0018] iii. at least two external
thread structures disposed on either the inner or the outer cap
wall surface along the longitudinal center axis of the cap between
the circular cap membrane and the cap opening, wherein each of the
at least two external threads comprises: [0019] 1. a discrete
thread start disposed along either the inner or the outer cap wall
surface proximate to the cap opening; [0020] 2. a thread lead angle
of from about 4.5 to about 45 degrees; and [0021] 3. a length less
than one half of C.sub.o; (d) inserting the substantially circular
cap opening into the transition; and (e) substantially rotationally
engaging the external and internal thread structures by turning the
cap less than 90.degree. to form a seal between the circular cap
membrane and the transition collar rim. The seal may be air tight
and/or liquid tight.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cap of a prior art
threaded closure assembly.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art threaded closure
assembly on a bottle.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap of a prior art
threaded closure assembly.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cap per the invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a cap per the invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cap per the
invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a transition per the
invention.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a transition per the
invention.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a transition per the
invention.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a threaded closure
assembly per the invention.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a threaded closure
assembly per the invention.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bottle per the
invention.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bottle per the
invention.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of comparative and inventive
caps having different thread configurations.
[0036] FIG. 15 is a plot showing Off-Torque decay of multi lead
threads.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] As used herein, the term "Overflow Volume" is the maximum
volume of liquid that a cap may hold without its contents
overflowing.
[0038] As used herein, the term "Compacted" composition means a
composition that water has been removed.
[0039] As used herein, the term "fluid" means any substance that is
capable of being poured. Fluids of the present invention include,
but are not limited to, liquids, fluidizable solids or powders, and
granular compositions that are capable of being poured.
[0040] As used herein, the term "cylindrical cap" means a cap
having at least a portion thereof which may be described as having
the form of a cylinder or tube. "Cylindrical cap" is not meant to
exclude caps comprising non-cylindrical portions, such as for
example a non-cylindrical, closed cap top.
[0041] A threaded closure assembly per the present invention
comprises a transition and a cylindrical cap. Optionally, the
threaded closure assembly may be functionally attached to the open
mouth of a bottle via a transition according to the present
invention. The bottle may be sealed through the mutual engagement
of the cap and transition threads.
[0042] Any one or more of the cap, transition or bottle may be made
from any suitable material or combination of materials. Various
plastics materials are suitable including, but not limited to
polyvinyl chloride, high and low density polyethylene,
polypropylene, acrylic, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene
terepthalate (PET), polyethylene napthalate (PEN) and copolymers
and blends of these PET and PEN in both crystalline and amorphous
forms.
[0043] It is contemplated that any one or more of the cap,
transition or bottle may be made using any suitable process
including, but not limited to, blow molding techniques, such as
stretch blow molding.
Each of the cap, transition and bottle are described in further
detail below.
Cap
[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, the cylindrical cap 40 is described by
a longitudinal center axis 80 and a line 81 orthogonal thereto. The
cap has a closed top 43 that is distally attached to a
substantially circular cap opening 44 via a cap wall 45. FIG. 5
presents an alternative view of the cap 40 of FIG. 4. Specifically
it is a view of the bottom of the closed cap top through the
substantially circular cap opening 44. Referencing FIG. 5, the cap
wall 45 is described by an inner cap wall surface 45a and an outer
cap wall surface 45b. The inner cap wall surface 45a has a
circumference "C.sub.i" and the outer cap wall surface 45b has a
circumference "C.sub.o". Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a
substantially circular cap membrane is 47 disposed on the outer cap
wall surface 45b. The cap membrane may run along a circumference of
the outer wall, such as along C.sub.o in FIG. 5. In some
embodiments, such as the one depicted in FIG. 5, the membrane is
continuous.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 4, three external thread structures 41a,
41b and 41c are disposed on the outer cap wall surface 45b along
the longitudinal center axis 80 of the cap 40 between the membrane
47 and the cap opening 44. In some embodiments, there are at least
two thread structures. In some embodiments there are three or more
thread structures. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, there are
three thread structures. In some embodiments, there are four or
more thread structures. Each thread structure has a discrete thread
start. In FIG. 4, only the discrete thread starts 42a and 42b of
the thread structures 41a and 41b respectively, are visible. These
thread starts are located proximate to the cap opening 44. The
thread start may be less than about 5, less than about 4, less than
about 3 or less than about 1 mm away from the cap opening 44.
[0046] In some embodiments, the external thread structures may be
disposed on an inner wall of the cap. Referring to FIG. 6, some cap
embodiments may comprise a double wall 250. In these embodiments,
the external threads may be disposed on an inner wall 245a of the
double wall 250.
[0047] Each thread is characterized by a thread lead angle.
Referring to FIG. 4, the thread lead angle 50 is the angle .theta.
formed at the theoretical intersection of a line 51 drawn through
the thread 41b with the line 81 orthogonal to longitudinal center
axis 80 of the cap. Each thread on the cap may have the same or
different thread lead angle. In some embodiments, each thread lead
angle may have a value of from about 4 to about 45 degrees, from
about 5 to about 20 degrees, from about 4.5 to about 15 degrees,
from about 5.5 to about 10 degrees, or any combination of upper and
lower limits, or any upper or lower limit, or any number in between
the upper and lower limits. It is presently believed that that cap
angles greater than 45 degrees may not be of use. Without wishing
to be bound by theory, if the thread lead angle is too great, the
removal torque can become so low, that the cap will simply back off
on its own due to internal forces. Consequently, there is a balance
to be struck with regard to thread lead angle of having an angle
that is great enough to reduce off-torque, but not so great as to
loose the advantage of a good seal between the cap membrane and the
transition collar rim.
[0048] Each thread may have the same or different lengths. In one
embodiment, all of the threads have the same length. In another
embodiment, all of the threads have the same length which is less
than one half of the cap outer wall circumference, C.sub.o.
[0049] Each thread may be continuous or discontinuous. In some
embodiments, at least one thread is continuous. In other
embodiments, at least one thread is discontinuous. In some
embodiments, there is a combination of continuous and discontinuous
thread(s).
[0050] In some embodiments, the cap may be used to meter doses of a
liquid, i.e., it may function as a dosing cap. In some embodiments,
the Overflow Volume of the cap is less than about 100 ml, less than
about 85 ml, less than about 75 ml, less than about 65 ml or less
than about 58 ml. In some embodiments, the cap may comprise a fill
line on the inner cap wall surface, on the outer cap wall surface,
or on both surfaces. In some embodiments there may be multiple fill
lines that reflect different composition dosing levels.
Transition
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the transition 400 is
described by a transition wall having a transition inner wall
surface 445a and a transition outer wall surface 445b. A transition
collar 450 is attached to the transition wall. The transition
collar has a transition collar rim 451.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, internal threads 441 are
disposed on the inner wall surface. Referring to FIG. 9, the
internal threads 441 are disposed on the outer wall surface 445b.
The internal threads are designed to be mutually engageable with
the external threads disposed on the outer cap wall surface. The
number of internal threads may be the same as the number of
external threads on the outer cap wall surface. In some
embodiments, there are three or more thread internal structures. In
some embodiments, there may be only one internal thread structure
that is configured such that the external threads of a cap may
engage the internal threads at multiple points. The latter
embodiment is depicted in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 8, where
there is one internal thread structure 441. In some embodiments,
there are two or more internal thread structures.
[0053] The transition may optionally comprise a spout. Referring to
FIG. 7, a spout 460 is functionally attached to the transition
collar 450 via the inner wall surface 445a of the transition. When
the transition is attached to a bottle, the spout may function to
direct the composition that is being poured out of the bottle. For
example, if the bottle contains a fluid composition, the spout
functions to direct the fluid out of the bottle. Typically, the
spout extends in a length beyond the collar to prevent buildup of
the composition in the transition head. The spout extending beyond
the collar may also aid in the pouring of the composition(s) from
the bottle, particularly into a dosing cap.
[0054] In some embodiments, the transition may further comprise a
drip concentrator. A drip concentrator may be concentrically
interposed between the spout and the transition wall. The drip
concentrator functions to gather any composition remaining in the
dispensing cup upon reapplication of the cup to the transition.
Suitable drip concentrators of use in the present invention are
described in USPN 2009/063369.
Threaded Closure Assembly
[0055] FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a threaded closure
assembly 4000 according to the invention. In FIG. 10, The cap 40,
which comprises external threads on the outer cap wall is shown as
being transparent. In the figure, the external threads of the cap
(not shown) and the internal threads 441 located on the inner wall
of the transition are mutually engaged such that a seal is formed
between the circular cap membrane 47 and the transition collar rim
451. The seal may be air and/or liquid tight.
[0056] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of a threaded closure assembly according to the present
invention. In FIG. 11, the cap 40, which comprises external threads
41 on the inner wall surface 245a of the double wall 250 is
mutually engaged with the internal threads 441 disposed on the
outer wall surface 445b of the transition 400 such that a seal is
formed between the circular cap membrane 47 and the transition
collar rim 451. The seal may be air and/or liquid tight.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 10, when a seal is formed, the distance
480 between the transition collar rim 451 and the closed cap top 43
may be measured along the longitudinal center axis 80 of the cap.
In some embodiments, this distance is less than about 40, less than
about 35 or less than about 30 millimeters (mm). The longer the
distance, the more the threaded closure assembly "sticks out" above
the bottle to which it is attached. It is believed that distances
higher than about 40, about 45 and above or about 50 mm and above
are undesirable for at least three reasons. First, the higher the
cap of the assembly sticks out above the bottle to which it is
attached, the more storage, shipping space and display space is
required. Second, a high profile cap may not be as aesthetically
appealing as a lower profile one. Third, it is desirable to have
more of the cap nested into the transition when it the seal is
formed. In this way, the cap walls between the cap opening and the
cap membrane serve as a guide for seating the cup into the
transition for engagement of the external and internal threads.
This is particularly advantageous over the prior art cap on a high
speed assembly line, where the precise line-up of the cap and
transition are necessary. As respectively shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,
on the prior art caps 10 and 30, there is very little cap wall
available as a guide for seating between the cap threads and cap
membrane. This may result in a higher incidence of cross
threading.
[0058] For any one or more of the aforementioned reasons, threaded
closure assemblies of the present invention may comprise a distance
along the longitudinal center axis of the cup between the
transition collar rim and the closed cap top that is about three,
about four, greater than about 3, or greater than about 4 more
times than the distance between the substantially circular cap
membrane and the substantially circular cap opening.
Bottle
[0059] FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a bottle 90 according
to the invention. In this embodiment, the cap 40 comprises external
threads on its outer wall surface and the transition 400 comprises
internal threads on its inner wall surface (threads not shown). In
this way, the outer wall of the transition remains visible when the
cap and the transition are mutually engaged such that the bottle is
sealed.
[0060] In FIG. 12, the bottle has a closed end (not shown) distally
located from an open end 92, which terminates in a substantially
circular bottle mouth (not shown). The bottle mouth is functionally
attached to a threaded closure assembly 4000 according to the
present invention via the transition. The attachment can be
accomplished using any suitable means. Non-limiting examples of
attachment means include: snapping the transition onto the bottle
via a plug seal; threading the transition on with a plug seal;
snapping the transition on and securing with glue; spin welding the
transition onto the bottle; and combinations thereof.
[0061] FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a bottle 90
according to the invention. There are differences between the
embodiment in this figure and the one in FIG. 12. Specifically, the
cap 40 in FIG. 13 comprises external threads on an inner wall
surface of a double wall 250 and the transition comprises internal
threads on its outer wall surface (threads not shown). In this way,
the outer wall of the transition is not visible when the cap and
the transition are mutually engaged such that the bottle is
sealed.
[0062] The bottle may be capable of containing a fluid composition.
Non-limiting examples of useful fluid compositions include fluid
fabric care compositions. Such compositions include, but are not
limited to fabric detergent, fabric enhancer and 2-in-1 fabric
detergent and enhancer compositions. In some embodiments, the
fabric care composition is Compacted.
[0063] The bottle may be labeled using any suitable means. A
non-limiting example is the use of a shrink sleeve that may be
fitted over the bottle body. Useful means and configurations for
shrink sleeving are described in USPN 2006/0141182A1,
2007/0095779A1 and US20050139568A1.
Method
[0064] The present invention is also directed to a method of
sealing a bottle containing a liquid using the present, inventive
threaded closure assembly. The method steps are found at p. 1, line
30 to p. 2, line 23. For the sake of brevity, they will not be
repeated here. Notably, this method allows for the reduction of
Off-torque necessary for a consumer to apply to the cap the first
time it is opened. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is
believed that the particular selection of multi-lead threads,
having unusually high thread lead angles accomplishes at least two
highly desirable results. First, the Off-torque that is necessary
to apply when removing the cap from a bottle the first time is
reduced as compared to caps having the same number of threads
having typical thread lead angles. This is demonstrated in the Data
section below. Second, less twisting motion is required to seal the
bottle. Both of these aspects can be of relevance to consumers,
particularly those consumers who suffer from lack of mobility due
to for arthritis for example.
Data
[0065] The Off-torque necessary for a consumer to apply to a cap
the first time it is opened may be measured using the following
method. A cap is applied to a transition utilizing a force that is
typical of that employed in a bottle manufacturing line. The force
used provides for a liquid tight seal between the cap membrane and
the transition collar rim. The Off-torque required to unscrew the
cap from the transition is measured using a torque gage as follows.
First, the bottle is captured in a fixture while a chuck attached
to a torque gage is used to remove the closure. The Off-torque is
the torque at which the closure is removed.
[0066] Off-torque data is collected for three caps that are
identical with the exception of the thread configuration. Referring
to FIG. 14, each of caps 1000 "A", "B" and "C" have a total height
1001 of 2.175 inches and a cap opening 1002 having a diameter of
2.82 inches. Each cap is described by the angle .theta. formed at
the theoretical intersection of a line 51 drawn through the thread
1014 a, b or c with a line 81 orthogonal to the longitudinal axis
80 of each cap. Comparative cap "A" has a single thread and thread
lead; the thread lead angle 1010a is 1.8 degrees. Comparative cap
"B" has three threads each having a separate thread lead and a
thread lead angle 1010b of 3.85 degrees. According to the present
invention, cap "C" has three threads, each with a unique thread
lead and a thread lead angle 1010c of 5.50 degrees. The resulting
off-torque data are plotted against time to demonstrate the
Off-Torque decay of multi lead threads in the graph shown in FIG.
15:
As can be seen from FIG. 15, adding multiple threads to a cap
(e.g., caps B and C) provides for lower off-torque than a
single-threaded cap (e.g., cap A). Moreover, by holding the number
of thread leads constant and by increasing the thread lead angle,
the off-torque of the cap is reduced (see cap C vs. cap B).
[0067] Approximately 360 degrees of rotation are needed to remove
Cap "A" from a transition. Approximately 160 degrees of rotation
are needed to remove Cap "B" from a transition. Approximately 130
degrees of rotation are needed to remove Cap "C" from a
transition.
[0068] Based upon the foregoing, it may be concluded that while the
inventive cap "C" can be applied in the manufacturing facility to
be liquid tight, it is easier for a consumer to remove than
comparative caps "A" and "B".
[0069] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0070] All numerical ranges disclosed herein are inclusive and
combinable.
[0071] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it
is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed
herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of
a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of
the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning
or definition assigned to that term in this document shall
govern.
[0072] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
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